John Wagner calls for state and federal governments to put aside politics in hub assessment

The businessman behind a 1000-room quarantine facility at Wellcamp has called for an end to the politicisation of the proposal.

Businessman John Wagner has called for the state and federal governments to put aside their differences and assess the proposed quarantine hub at Wellcamp Airport.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Prime Minister Scott Morrison have been at odds over the proposal since it was first floated six weeks ago.

The state government says it has provided the federal government with all the information it needs to make a decision on the project.

But the federal government says that is not the case, with the PM on Friday saying he needed to see “a detailed, costed proposal that the Commonwealth could consider”.

In comments that appeared in The Australian recently, Mr Wagner said: “We just don’t need any more politicisation of this. I strongly urge that the state and federal governments sit down with us and work through it”.

Mr Wagner on Tuesday said he did not wish to comment further.

The Wagners believe they can have the first 500 rooms of a 1000 room quarantine facility up and running in six weeks from when they get the go-ahead.

There will be another 300 rooms for staff, and under the proposal, they would live and work on site for the duration of their shifts.

Mr Wagner previously said his staff would not interact with travellers.

The federal government last week said it was still seeking more information on how the state government was planning to operate any potential facility in Toowoomba.

“A number of questions have been asked of the Queensland government regarding their health workforce, airport regulations, engagement with airlines and how this proposal would impact the Toowoomba community,” a federal government spokeswoman said.

“We are happy to work with the Queensland government on assessing their proposal, but we require more information.”

Toowoomba businessman and philanthropist Clive Berghofer is leading community opposition to the proposal, and a parliamentary petition against it has so far gathered 3584 signatures.